A modern way to educate yourself through Netflix

What does education mean to you? Is it merely what we’ve been taught at schools and colleges through outdated books? Education is also about learning and knowing things from the past and present in the real world and using that knowledge to build ideologies and a belief system.

Unfortunately, the education we’re provided only stages us to be successful in society but does not mould our character or teach us to be human.

Have any of us wondered why there are so many women empowerment movements? Why Black Lives Matter protests? Why are there so many women and child abuse reports? All of this boils down to the fact that people aren’t educated about reality and their inability to differentiate between right and wrong.

As a part of our education, none of us are taught to respect people irrespective of caste, gender, colour, religious beliefs etc.

Our textbooks have dark-skinned people just to illustrate what ugly means.

Our textbooks, with the help of some awkward teachers, teaches us about the reproductive organs of our body. With that, shouldn’t we also be taught what Rape is and the whole concept of Consent?

Sadly, this is the world that we live in and change is a far fetched call. But we also live in the Age of Technology which gives you the opportunity to — EDUCATE YOURSELF.

Streaming platforms like Netflix house some of the best documentaries/series apart from its other entertaining content. Documentaries and Docuseries, in the modern age, is one of THE most interesting mediums of education for a wide range of topics and also from different parts of the world.

The aim of this series is to help increase awareness around a lot of topics and help become better human beings.

PS — Almost all of these are American shows. But the learnings remain human.

Racial and Gender Discrimination

• 13TH — Ever wondered why are there so many African-American people locked up in prison and how does the system enable it? The series explains how ever since Slavery was abolished, people still live under those shackles.
• When They See Us — Story of 5 innocent teenagers convicted and sent to jail for rape. Trump called for these kids to be hanged! A Story of innocence and childhood lost to unjust practices. Also watch — Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now
• Time: The Kalief Browder Story — A story of another wrongfully convicted teenager and how the criminal justice system failed him. Another story of police brutality impacting an innocent life leading to his eventual death
• Who Killed Malcolm X — Malcolm X is one of Americas biggest over Human Right activists and was integral in their civil rights movement. His assassination is to this date not solved and his actual killers — never convicted
• Disclosure — Ever think about the amount of discrimination and oppression that transgender people have gone through? The series tells you how systematically Hollywood has had an impact on our ideas and notions of transgender people
• Reggie Yates — South African slums — A post-apartheid look into South Africa where interestingly, the tables have turned and White people have become oppressed and are considered secondary citizens. Is that fair though?
• #blackAF — A light-hearted and comedic series about how a Black household works, but with a very strong message
• Hip-Hop Evolution — What is Hip-Hop? What is Gangster Rap? An amazing informative series about how the African-American chose art as a medium to fight for their place in their society
• Coach Snoop — All of us know The Doggfather as one of the greatest ever Rap musicians. This series provides another look into his life where he trains and provides education to a group of young Americans through American Football
• LA originals — The story of two of the most iconic but relatively unknown faces in Hollywood and Hip-Hop culture.
• Da 5 Bloods — A group of war veterans return to Vietnam in pursuit of something valuable to them. An amazing look into what war does to people and also countries.
• Flint Town — A documentary following the daily activities of Policemen in one of the most violent cities in America. A series that shows you that NOT ACAB

Sexual Abuse and Harassment

• Delhi Crime — A MUST WATCH for every Indian. The Nirbhaya gang rape case that shook the nation. But for some reason, the nation hasn't learnt from it and there are brutal cases of rape all over the country.
• Athlete A — A story of how one doctor sexually assaulted approximately 250 young female gymnasts and how this was just swept under the rug by USA Gymnastics.
• The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez — WARNING: Graphic Content. The story of an innocent 8 year old who suffered years of torture and abuse from his own mother and was eventually killed due to injuries suffered. Again, the childcare system failed to protect and take necessary action here
• Unbelievable — Ever think of how Rape victims are perceived in society? This series does exactly that job, of telling you stories of two rape victims and “How to” and “How not to” handle these situations
• Sex Education — This popular series apart from being funny and witty, covers some of the most important issues in society — Gender discrimination, women empowerment, queer representation and of course Sex education.

Animal cruelty and Environmental issues

• Virunga — This Oscar-winning documentary follows the life of people who strive to protect and defend the last population of Mountain Gorillas in Congo. The film gives you a hard look into a war struck nation and how poaching and capitalism affect wildlife
• Tiger King — Did you know there are more captive tigers in the US than in the wild? All of this is due to the breeding market and laws that allow you to pet Exotic animals. The series tells you about the rivalry in the exotic animal market.
• Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer — A gripping story of the hunt for a psychotic killer killing cats and small animals and posting videos of them on the internet. And as the title says — you don't f**k with cats
• Our Planet — One of THE best documentaries out there that take you on a journey through different parts of the world and shows you how climate change is impacting ALL living creatures

The series of suggestions that follow are more around certain topics/events that provide a great bit of insight and can be watched basis of interests

Wrongful Convictions

• Making a Murderer
• Innocence Files
• Long Shot

Sports

• Last Chance U
• Q Ball
• The Last Dance
• The Ronda Rousey story
• Sunderland ’Til I Die
• Iverson
• Team Foxcatcher
• QB1: Beyond the Lights
• Losers
• Icarus
• The Carter Effect
• The Mavericks

Serial Killers and offenders

• MINDHUNTER
• Manhunt Unabomber
• Evil Genius
• Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
• The Confession Killer
• The Accountant of Auschwitz
• The Devil Next Door
• Jailbirds

Events

• Greatest Events of WW2 in colour
• American Factory
• Choked
• The Two Popes
• The Spy
• The Family
• The Great Hack
• The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
• Wild Wild Country
• Band of Brothers

People

• The Black Godfather
• Quincy
• The Defiant Ones